Thursday, November 26, 2009

What started out as a prudent measure to reduce expenses after we purchased our home has turned out to be an unexpected blessing.

As we faced the reality of a mortgage payment, Chris and I looked at our expenses and evaluated where we might be able to save money. Chris didn’t suggest it…because he knew that I was used to cable TV. However, I felt the strong leading of the Holy Spirit…that when we moved into our new home that we should forego cable TV for a season, at least until we refinanced our home.

Although I knew I would miss HGTV, TLC, Fox News and a few channels that have some good entertainment…I thought that it was the right thing to do. Not only would we save money, but with our busy schedules, we probably wouldn’t have much time to watch TV.

Before long…that which seemed like it might be hard to get used to was something we didn’t really miss.

While we were in our interim apartment, our TV viewing habits consisted of house hunting and decorating shows with the occasional “What Not to Wear” thrown in for good measure.

Fox News which had once been my news channel of choice now had all the cutting edge technology…and in the process lost some of its substance. With the change in administration, and their desire to be “fair and balanced”, Fox News looked a more like CNN rather than Fox New which used to give conservatives a voice. I found their news served as an irritant, rather than something that provoked thoughtful debate.

The one downside to no TV…is that I feel really out of the loop. If there was a national or local emergency, we would likely not have a clue. I used to listen to talk radio, but now I spend my commute time in prayer or listening to Bible study CDs.

On occasion, I log on to a local news station or Fox News to see what’s going on. More often than not I’m appalled by the horrific things that are being reported. Things that are so sick that they are unthinkable to a decent mind.

In the past couple of weeks…some of the news stories included a baby that was brutally tortured to death by his mother, a man kidnapping and holding a girl captive as a sex slave, children assaulting other children because they have red hair, mass slaughter of 200,000 animals in a religious ritual to appease (false) gods, and two dogs thrown into a canal with their mouths taped shut. That’s just a few stories…a small sampling of what’s being reported as “news”.

Why do I need that garbage in home? I don’t need those images filling my mind…because once they are in there…they don’t go away.

That doesn’t even take into account what is passing as entertainment these days. If you are a Christian…a person of faith with moral values…you’d better keep that remote control close at hand. It’s not going to be long before you see something which God has declared sinful pass before your eyes. How will you respond?

Most of the sexual situations on TV are extra or pre marital sex. Rarely do you see a healthy loving marriage portrayed. Scantily clad women are the order of the day from TV shows to commercials. Frankly I don’t need those images filling my husband’s mind. Men have the equivalent of a pictorial rolodex in their mind…images that they’ve seen. Images are added to the rolodex whether a man has purposely witnessed something or by accident.

How are husbands supposed to keep their thought life pure when continually being assaulted by those images? How are men and women going to resist the temptations of an extra marital affair when constantly seeing that portrayed on TV as normal and good? How are single people, young people going to be committed to remaining virgins and wait to have sex until marriage…when all they see on TV and in movies is everyone having sex outside of marriage?

Do you wonder why people stumble and fall into sin? It’s because we fill our minds with thoughts and images which appeal to our flesh, our sinful nature. In doing so, we lose sight that God has clearly stated in His word, in no uncertain terms, those choices are sinful. We see the temptation, take the bait, but fail to remember the consequences of our sin.

How do TV and movies portray how women should dress? How does it deal with alcohol and drugs? How does it portray sex outside of marriage and homosexuality? What defacto messages are you getting from TV?

Sin loses its sinfulness when we continually fill our mind with imagines and thoughts from TV, movies, books and music that are in direct contradiction to God word. We stop seeing sin as sin.

We don’t see adultery as sin, we see it as “an affair”. We tell ourselves that God just wants us to be happy. Guess what…God doesn’t just want us to be happy. He wants us to be holy. He cares more about our character than our happiness.

It’s nearly impossible to have the things of God in mind when we are filling our mind with the things of this world. When we laugh at or just go along with, or turn a blind eye to that which God has declared sinful. When we see those images…do we remember that Christ died for those sins? Do we want to heap sin, upon sin?

Or do we desire to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength? Do we want to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ? Part of taking every thought captive is guarding our heart and mind in Christ Jesus…and choosing not to take in or dwell upon sinful things. It’s purposely saying Jesus Christ is Lord of my life in all areas.

When we first moved into our new home…it took some getting used to not having a TV. It wasn’t long before we both realized…it’s a good thing to not have it around.

Rather than watching TV, we now watch DVDs that we’ve chosen. Many of which are from Christian film makers…films or shows that uphold our faith and values.

What about you…do you find yourself wanting to turn off the TV which contradicts and assaults your faith? How about it…it’s easy…cancel the cable and turn off the TV. Even better you will save some money to boot. No TV is truly a blessing.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

"Courageous" is the new movie that the producers of "Facing the Giants" and Fireproof" are starting production on. To that I say “Yeah”. I thank the people at Sherwood Pictures for their efforts to produce good Christian entertainment that is God honoring and encouraging to Christians. I can hardly wait for the new movie to come out and look forward to your future productions.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

The above photo of Christian Ebner, our worship leader at Kindred Community Church, was taken while Christian was conducting the choir. It's one of my favorite pictures because the silhouette looks like he is in worship and prayer.

Christian just released his first Christmas CD "A Christian Ebner Christmas". It's a lovely addition to my Christmas music. Christian has a very clean and pure voice. Below is the video showing the recording of his album.

It's been at least three months, perhaps four since we put out the feeder to attract Goldfinches. After being captivated by all the outdoor birds and wildlife in our backyard...we were hoping to attract Goldfinches.

Valerie and Vince at Wild Birds Unlimited in Yorba Linda assured us that they would come. They said be patient...they are a little skittish...it may take them a while to come. Well after a couple of months of trying lure them our way in the front yard...we finally moved the feeding sock to the backyard. Again we waited. It took a couple more months...but this time we hit pay dirt.

Yesterday, while ironing Chris looked out the back window and saw birds on the sock. I ran out with my trusty camera...and was able to capture the elusive Goldfinches! Throughout the day...I'd glance out while I was busy cleaning...and found the little critters out there, coming and going throughout most of the day.

Despite the chilly morning, I braved the elements to capture our new friends, the Goldfinches, and few old pals as well. There is our beloved Towhees and of course our precious sparrows.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” – Luke 12:6-7

He humbles me in every direction I turnAs I behold The marvels of His creation anew

A sunset so brilliant and boldNo painter could begin to imagineThe colors, intensity and hues

Our Creator paints A breathtaking evening skySo that we might enjoy and proclaim His Excellencies

He creates with perfectionThe humming bird that hovers aboveA vision of beauty and delicate precision

Creation bears the mark of His perfect handBut nothing in creation can compareTo humans created in God’s own image

Susan Bunts Wachtel November 9, 2009

This poem is dedicated to Jun who inspired it by his reaction to an amazing sunset that captured our Creators marvelous work. Indeed Jun…God does humble me in every direction I turn. May you reflect on Him as you travel on the difficult road ahead…mindful that He is always with you.

Sword of the Spirit

A Little Something

I’m 57 and though I’m not what I should be, praise God I’m not what I used to be. I spent many years angry at God, running from Him and tried to deny His existence. Through the loving witness of my neighbors the Bocks, I saw a clear picture of God who loves me. At 32, I recognized I was a sinner, repented of my sins and received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I know that God still answers prayers. For many years I prayed for a husband and on the eve of my 49th birthday, God brought Chris Wachtel into my life and 7 months later we were married. I am conservative in my politics, but a former liberal. I even campaigned for Jimmy Carter and I rue that day. I find liberal leftist thinking, while well intentioned, ultimately flawed. I’ve been abundantly blessed by God with gifted pastors and teachers. I’m most grateful for Pastors Philip De Courcy and Chuck Obremski who faithfully taught the Word of God. I've also grown through BSF and CBS Bible Studies. God has recently moved us 1,500 miles from CA to TX. Not sure what the Lord will be doing in us and through us, but I am grateful to be walking with and depending on Him each day.

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My Colors Will Be Clear

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

I no longer need position, promotions, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my destination is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few. My Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of the One that gave me life, drew the line in blood for me in the hour of my destiny.

I am one of Christ's remnant people. I belong to Him and none other. All I do to bring this life to another is done because of that blood covenant poured out for me.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. I must share will all that one more might hear and be drawn from the flaming darkness that longs to consume. Reach for another, touch but one more!

Until that moment...He will have no problem in recognizing me- my colors will be clear!!!

Not only are the words inspiring but so is the man behind them. The above letter was written by a Pastor in Africa who was undergoing severe persecution. On the eve of his execution he sat down and wrote the above note.